A former British colony and later a loose republican union of ethnic constituencies, the modern nation of South Africa is situated on the southern tip of the continent of Africa. With its capital in Pretoria and government seat in Cape Town, South Africa is comprised of 9 provinces: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North-West, Northern Cape, Western Cape. Its people are 75% black and 14% black speaking 11 official languages: Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu.

A republic, South Africa is led by its parliament-elected President, who stands as both head of state and government. A bicameral parliament is responsible for legislation. The parliament is comprised of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.